Quick coupling for pipes/hoses with locking feature

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling comprising a first ( 3, 3′ ) and a second ( 5,5′ ) coupling part being adapted for coupling together and uncoupling along a centre axis (CL) extending through the coupling ( 1 ), an outer surface ( 7 ) of the first coupling part ( 3, 3′ ) comprising at least a recessed helical slot ( 9 ), an inner surface ( 11 ) of the second coupling part ( 5, 5′ ) having at least one projection ( 13, 13′, 13″ ) extending inwards for engagement with the said slot ( 9 ). The second coupling part ( 5, 5′ ) comprises a lock socket arrangement ( 17, 19 ) being displaceable relatively to its rear portion ( 15 ) along a centre line (CL) and having an inwards projecting portion ( 23, 23′, 23″ ), at least one lock body ( 25, 25′, 25″ ) arranged in the second coupling part ( 5, 5 ) being movably arranged relatively to the lock socket arrangement ( 17, 19 ) and by means of retention means ( 27, 27′ ) being connected to the rear portion ( 15 ), the outer surface ( 7 ) comprising a collar ( 29 ) for receiving the lock body ( 25, 25′, 25″ ) affected by the projecting portion ( 23, 23′, 23″ ) at the said coupling together.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A coupling comprising:
 a first and a second coupling part being adapted for coupling together and uncoupling along a centre axis (CL) extending through the coupling, an outer surface of the first coupling part comprising at least a recessed helical slot, an inner surface of the second coupling part having at least one projection extending inwards for engagement with the recessed helical slot, wherein the second coupling part comprises a lock socket arrangement being displaceable relatively to a rear portion of the second coupling part along the centre axis, having an inwards projecting portion, at least one lock body arranged in the second coupling part being movably arranged relative to the lock socket arrangement and connected by retention means to the rear portion, the outer surface of the first coupling part comprising a collar for receiving the lock body affected by the inwards projecting portion when the first coupling part and the second coupling part are coupled together, wherein the retention means comprises an inner sleeve about which a lock socket of the lock socket arrangement is displaceably arranged, and wherein the retention means further comprises engagement means transferring rotational movement of the lock socket to the inner sleeve. 
 
     
     
       2. The coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock socket arrangement is tensioned in a direction towards the rear portion by means of a spring for returning the lock socket arrangement to an original position in which the projecting portion gets into contact with the lock body. 
     
     
       3. The coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock socket arrangement is provided with a space (U) so that in a projected position of the lock socket arrangement, the space (U) allows the lock body to move in peripheral direction from the collar. 
     
     
       4. The coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the retention means are designed so that the collar of the lock body corresponds to a profile edge of the recessed helical slot. 
     
     
       5. The coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the recessed helical slot ends by a bending angle extending by an open angle towards a main pitch angle of the recessed helical slot. 
     
     
       6. The coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock body is constituted by a ball or a tap. 
     
     
       7. The coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one projection comprises a tap or a ball. 
     
     
       8. The coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the lock socket arrangement comprises a user friendly handle. 
     
     
       9. The coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock socket arrangement by means of the engagement means being adapted for affecting the projection for engagement with the recessed helical slot, said engagement means being adapted so as to be movable in along a direction of the centre axis (CL). 
     
     
       10. The coupling according to  claim 9 , wherein the engagement means being secured to the lock socket arrangement and extending through longitudinally extending slots of the retention means. 
     
     
       11. The coupling according to  claim 9 , wherein the engagement means being secured to the retention means and extending through longitudinally extending slots of the lock socket arrangement. 
     
     
       12. A rescue tool, or other hydraulically driven tool, comprising the coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling is a coaxial coupling.